Thursday, March 13, 2008

War Drums beat on Iran

Recently, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew stressed his opinion in the Washington Post that America must NOT pullout of Iraq before winning. Mr Lee believes that it would be a disaster if they do so...maybe he should have hold off on his opinion.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think the MM is wrong. I do think it would be better for Singapore if America stay on in Iraq. It might not be good for America, but it will be in Singapore's interest if they continue to fight in Iraq as it would mean that 1) Singapore will continue to be a 'firm ally' of America; 2) angry terrorists would rather attack America than Singapore; and 3) there's no chance of Singapore's FTA with America being reviewed. Say what you want, but what do I care if young warmongering Americans die in a country most Singaporean never even being to?

What worries me now is U.S President George W. Bush obsession with Iran. Everyone knows that the White House wanted to attack Iran, but for one reason or another, it never could. Now one of those reasons is gone. The commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, has stepped down. Fallon, who even Bush admitted has "served this country with honor, determination and commitment," stepped down and went into early retirement after reports came out in the U.S that he differed with Bush over attacking Iran. AKA, Bush wanted to hit Iran and Fallon didn't.

The White House is trying to paper over the cracks, but no one really believes them. With Fallon's exit, does this means a U.S war with Iran? I hope not. With oil price at US$110; an ongoing war in Iraq; a revitalised Taleban in Afghanistan; war with Iran is the last thing America needs.

Now, I don't really care about how many wars America want to be dragged into, I'm worried about Singapore. I don't think it's in Singapore's interest to be seem hand-in-hand with America as they try to have war with the whole Islamic world. It just isn't.

So maybe the MM should have hold off on his comments; it might not be in Singapore's interest to be seem as a close U.S ally in the near future (when they attack Iran).